Stevie by D. J. Krimmer
Friends with benefits. Nothing more.
Stevie
At Hel’s Ink, I’ve built a life I’m proud of. I have my skills, my found family, and a voice I’m no longer afraid to use.
But when I post a video exposing the abuse I escaped, I don’t expect it to go viral.
Or for the threats to turn real.
Now I’m being forced into hiding—under the protection of a man who drives me insane… and makes my body forget how to hate him.
He wants more. I don’t know if I have anything left to give.
And if I let him see how broken I still am, I’m scared he’ll walk away.
Brooks
I told myself it was just sex.
That I could keep my distance.
But the moment Stevie becomes a target, I step in. No hesitation.
She’s fierce, mouthy, and impossible. And I want every piece of her.
Even the ones she thinks are too sharp to love.
She keeps pushing me away—
But I’m not going anywhere.
Not when I’d burn down the world just to keep her safe.
Friends with benefits—nothing more
Stevie
As the lead piercer at Hel’s Ink, I’ve gained skills, made friends, and accepted the chaos that is my family. Finally, good things are coming my way, and I am feeling confident, maybe a little too confident, when I post a video to my socials describing the toxicity and abuse that is all too frequent in my industry and the life I left behind. After it goes viral, I get threats that move from on-screen to real life and I’m forced to come to terms with needing help. Pushed into the protective arms of a man I can’t stand, but whose body I crave. He wants more, but I’m not even sure what it is I want, or if I even have anything left to give.
Brooks
After finding out that Stevie Campbell is being harassed over her viral video, I step up to keep her safe and protect her from the increasingly real and frightening threats she’s getting. Hel’s has become a family to me and Stevie, well, she’s become my entire world. Our physical chemistry is a perfect match, but as we get closer, I’m falling harder and she’s pulling away. I’d do anything for her, give her everything… if only she’d believe in herself the way I do.